Scholar to speak on the Islamic Threat: Myth or Reality

(04-17-2014)

Islamic scholar John Esposito will speak on the topic: The Islamic Threat: Myth or Reality?, at 7 p.m. Monday, April 28, in Adams State University's Theatre Building.

"We have to [practice religious inclusion] in a multi-ethnic, multi-faith society in a globalized society -- that is our challenge when it comes to pluralism…it's seeing that, however much our differences, there are similarities. . ." said John Esposito.

Professor of Religion and International Affairs and of Islamic Studies at Georgetown University, John L. Esposito is Founding Director of the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding in the Walsh School of Foreign Service.

Esposito will address current issues relating to Western perceptions of Islam as well as the present status of Christians in Muslim countries.

Esposito has served as consultant to the US Department of State and other agencies, European and Asian governments and corporations, universities, and the media worldwide. A former President of the Middle East Studies Association of North America and of the American Council for the Study of Islamic Societies, Vice Chair of the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy, and member of the World Economic Forum's Council of 100 Leaders, he is currently Vice President (2011) and President Elect (2012) of the American Academy of Religion and a member of the E. C. European Network of Experts on De-Radicalization and the board of C-1 World Dialogue and an ambassador for the UN Alliance of Civilizations.
Esposito is the recipient of the American Academy of Religion's 2005 Martin E. Marty Award for the Public Understanding of Religion and of Pakistan's Quaid-i-Azam Award for Outstanding Contributions in Islamic Studies and the School of Foreign Service and Georgetown University Award for Outstanding Teaching.

Some of Esposito's more than 45 books and monographs include: Islamophobia and the Challenge of Pluralism in the 21st Century, The Future of Islam, Who Speaks for Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really Think (with Dalia Mogahed), Unholy War: Terror in the Name of Islam, The Islamic Threat: Myth or Reality? Islam and Politics; What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam, World Religions Today and Religion and Globalization (with D. Fasching & T. Lewis).
Interviews and articles with Esposito by various world publications include: The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Economist, The Guardian, The Times of London, CNN, ABC Nightline, CBS, NBC, and the BBC.

Esposito's lecture is sponsored by ASU United Campus Ministry, Catholic Campus Ministry, Office of the Senior Vice President Enrollment Management and Program Development, Student Engagement and Success, Student Life and Recreation, Department of History, Anthropology, Philosophy, Political Science and Spanish, Community of Inclusive Excellence, Leadership, and Opportunity – CIELO, Office of the Director Title V Institutional Grant Project, Anabaptist Fellowship of Alamosa, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Alamosa, and Body Tune Up of Alamosa.

The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Esposito will have copies of his books available for purchase after the lecture. For further information, call 719-587-7516 or campusministry@adams.edu.

Three of the team's six members were recognized as "Best Delegate" in their respective committees at the conference, held March 27-29 in Menton, France, on the campus of Sciences Po College. Read More …